Sunday, 23 November 2008

and again - 2008 anyone?

I am not only not a good mother but clearly not a good blogger either. Almost year has passed since our move to a new county and a new life. It has been a remarkable year, one of friendships old and new and lives renewed with a sense of freedom. We see more of real friends - an impetus not to lose touch - and we have made new strong friendships. Our little road is so friendly a community and both I and the children have forged strong relationships. I joined the WI, become a good neighbour and forced myself to meet and chat to everyone - village fetes, jam stalls, brownie meets, volunteering for the school - every single thin I could manage. This was the equivalent of 10 years' worth rolled into about 9 months. Hard work but worth every minute spent. I now have lovely new friends, a new WI (getting old I know but I enjoy having women friends across all ages), a new book group, and a range of places to visit.

All summer I have stood in the kitchen watching Rosie playing in the street with her friends - a gang of 13 girls on their bikes and skates terrorising the neighbourhood boys. I was surprised by how many children we have in the village but they all congregate in our no through road which leads to the nature reserve and our house has become the feeding and watering station for them all (thank goodness for tescomultipacks of crisps and juice) and toilet stop too. We now have a very large garden and tree swing and that too is popular after school and if it's raining they squeeze themselves into the log cabin and play the piano or playstation or use the gym equipment with much hilarity. I love the house full of kids, they bring life and joy and noise and bustle and my heart is full.

I loved your blogg, it took me back a few years. Our house was in the centre of the village, not far from the park and the river. We were also a centre for the village kids, and a first aid post; being a nurse had its uses! I miss those days, cherish every moment, even the muddy foot prints

Welcome back!Your bike-stop, snack-stop, toilet-stop house rang a familiar note to me as that's what our place was for many years as the children grew up. I never knew who would be at the table at supper time, but I always knew where my children were.I look forward to more updates from your busy home.

my poor husband gets home every day and peers round the kitchen door in trepidation! I make big bowls of pasta and soups and if it doesn't get eaten by the assembled masses then freeze the leftovers for next time. Thank goodness for a table that seats 12 and kids that eat anything you put in front of them (except fish and that's another story...)

About Me

I am a mum, having come late to it in life I find it a struggle sometimes but reckon I make a pretty good stab at it. I also have 2 beloved step children who are testing me at times! And having now taken myself away from the corporate rat race I'm looking for new things to do to earn a crust and enjoy myself at the same time. I used to run a small internet business finding babysitters for families who have children with special needs and really enjoyed doing this but have sold it on to someone with more time. Want to try my hand at writing too and have recently started writing a column for a 'trade' journal. But this blog is for me.